AITAH For Telling My Class I Had Candy After I Finished Presenting?

AITAH for telling my class I had candy after I finished presenting?

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

When Kindness Meets Indifference: A High School Dilemma

A 16-year-old girl goes above and beyond to prepare for her history presentation, hoping to engage her classmates with candy rewards for participation. However, as she presents, she’s met with a sea of disinterest, with most students glued to their phones. In a moment of frustration, she decides to reward only the few who actually paid attention, leading to backlash from her peers. This relatable scenario highlights the challenges of trying to motivate others in a world dominated by distractions, sparking a conversation about accountability and the value of engagement.

Family Drama Over Candy and Presentation

A 16-year-old girl faced unexpected family drama after a history presentation that turned into a conflict resolution challenge. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Extra Credit Opportunity: The teacher announced that students could earn extra credit by bringing candy to distribute for correct answers during presentations.
Preparation: The girl dedicated her evening to preparing 25 bags of sour candies, each labeled with a cheerful “Good job!” featuring Hello Kitty. She aimed to create a fun and engaging atmosphere.
Presentation Day: On the day of the presentation, she arrived with her candies in a non-transparent bag, hoping to surprise her classmates.
Lack of Engagement: During her presentation, she noticed that most of her classmates were distracted, engrossed in their phones. Only three students were paying attention.
Struggle with Authority: Despite her desire to encourage participation, she hesitated to confront her peers about their phone usage, fearing it would come off as rude and knowing the teacher wouldn’t intervene.
Final Offer: At the end of her presentation, she mentioned the candy, prompting her classmates to suddenly pay attention. However, she decided to only give candy to the three students who had engaged with her presentation.

Two days later, the aftermath of her decision led to ongoing tension:

Backlash: Many classmates expressed their frustration, feeling entitled to the candy despite their lack of participation.
Reflection: The girl began to question whether her choice was petty or justified, considering the circumstances of the presentation.

This situation highlights the complexities of family drama and conflict resolution in a school setting, particularly surrounding wedding tension and social dynamics among peers. The girl’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of engagement and respect in group activities, as well as the potential consequences of perceived unfairness in social interactions.

This is Original story from Reddit

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

Story

So, I16f had a presentation for history, and I really wanted extra credit. The teacher told us that if we brought candy to give out for answering questions correctly, we could get extra credit. I planned for 25 questions so that 25 people could have a chance to get candy.

The night before, I stayed up until 11 PM, putting sour candies in little bags and taping them with a cute “Good job!” label featuring Hello Kitty. I thought it looked adorable and that everyone would love it.

The next day, I brought the candies in a non-transparent bag to keep it a surprise. As I started presenting, I noticed almost everyone was on their phones. Only three people were paying attention.

I didn’t want to yell at them to put their phones away because it felt rude, and the teacher doesn’t really like me, so I knew she wouldn’t step in. At the very end of my presentation, I said, “Oh yeah, I’m done presenting. By the way, I had candy for people who answered questions.”

Suddenly, everyone looked up and said, “Oh, you had candy?” They started asking me for some, but I told them, “You chose your phones over the candy.” Then, I gave candy to the three people who weren’t on their phones.

Now it’s been two days, and everyone is still mad at me and keeps asking for candy. Was that super petty of me? What do you think?

View the Original Reddit Post Here

Summary of Reddit Comments

The top Reddit comments indicate a strong consensus that the original poster (OP) is not at fault (NTA) for their actions during the presentation. Many users express outrage at the teacher’s lack of control over the classroom and support OP’s decision to withhold candy from classmates who were distracted on their phones. The comments highlight a shared experience of dealing with unsupportive teachers and emphasize the importance of accountability among peers.

Verdict: NTA

Expert Advice for Resolving the Conflict

Conflict in a school setting can be challenging, especially when it involves peers and the dynamics of participation and recognition. Here are some practical steps for both the girl and her classmates to address the situation and foster a more positive environment moving forward:

For the Girl (OP)

Reflect on the Experience: Take some time to think about the presentation and the reactions of your classmates. Acknowledge your feelings and understand that your decision was based on the engagement level of your peers.
Communicate Openly: Consider reaching out to your classmates to explain your perspective. You might say something like, “I noticed many of you were distracted during my presentation, and I wanted to reward those who engaged. I hope you understand my decision.”
Encourage Future Engagement: Suggest ways to make future presentations more interactive. Perhaps propose a group discussion or a Q&A session to keep everyone involved from the start.
Seek Support from the Teacher: If you feel comfortable, discuss the classroom dynamics with your teacher. Express your concerns about engagement and suggest strategies to encourage participation, such as setting clear expectations for phone usage during presentations.

For the Classmates

Practice Empathy: Try to understand the effort the girl put into her presentation and the candy. Recognize that your distraction may have contributed to the outcome.
Engage in Dialogue: If you feel frustrated, consider discussing your feelings with the girl directly. Use “I” statements to express how you felt about the situation without placing blame, such as “I felt disappointed when I didn’t receive candy because I was distracted.”
Take Responsibility: Acknowledge your role in the situation. Reflect on how your actions during the presentation may have affected the outcome and consider how you can be more engaged in the future.
Support Each Other: Create a culture of support in the classroom where everyone encourages one another to participate actively. This can help prevent similar situations in the future.

Conclusion

Conflict resolution is a vital skill that can lead to personal growth and improved relationships. By fostering open communication and accountability, both the girl and her classmates can learn from this experience and create a more engaging and respectful classroom environment.